Method Of Processing Digital Image In A Digital Camera

ABSTRACT

A method of processing a digital image in a digital camera is provided in which structures within a digital image produced by the digital camera utilising an adjustable focusing technique of the digital camera are detected by processing the digital image with a processor of the digital camera utilising focusing settings of the adjustable focusing technique as an indicator of positions of said structures, and image effects are applied to the detected structures with the processor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/831,238 filed Apr. 26, 2004, which is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,750, filed on Jul. 10, 1998, now Issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,727,948, all of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus and, in particular, discloses a process for—utilising autofocus information in a digital image camera.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recently, digital cameras have become increasingly popular. These cameras normally operate by means of imaging a desired image utilizing a charge coupled device (CCD) array and storing the imaged scene on an electronic storage medium for later down loading onto a computer system for subsequent manipulation and printing out. Normally, when utilizing a computer system to print out an image, sophisticated software may be available to manipulate the image in accordance with requirements.

Unfortunately such systems require significant post processing of a captured image and normally present the image in an orientation in which is was taken, relying on the post processing process to perform any necessary or required modifications of the captured image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for enhanced processing of images captured by a digital camera utilising autofocus settings.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of generating a manipulated output image by means of a digital camera, the method comprising the steps of:

capturing a focused image using an automatic focusing technique generating focus settings;

generating a manipulated output image by applying a digital image manipulating process to the focused image, the digital image manipulating process utilizing the focus settings.

Preferably the focus settings include a current position of a zoom motor of the digital camera.

In a preferred embodiment the digital image manipulating process includes a step of locating an object within the focused image utilizing the focus settings.

The method may include the step of printing out the manipulated image by means of a printing mechanism incorporated into the digital camera.

It is preferred that the digital image manipulating process selectively applies techniques to the focused image on the basis of the focus settings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the method of the preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the ARTCAM type camera.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment is preferably implemented through suitable programming of a hand held camera device such as that described in the concurrently filed application, Applicant's reference ART01, U.S. Ser. No. 09/113,060 entitled “A Digital Camera with Image Processing Capability” filed concurrently herewith by the present applicant the content of which is hereby specifically incorporated by cross reference and the details of which, and other related applications are set out in the tables below. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram thereof.

The aforementioned patent specification discloses a camera system, hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images can be directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit such as illustrated in FIG. 2. Further, the aforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performing various manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing device 30 leading to the production of various effects in any output image 40. The manipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can be implemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, the cards 9 hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam further has significant onboard processing power by an Artcam Central Processor unit (ACP) 32 which is interconnected to a memory device 34 for the storage of important data and images.

In the preferred embodiment, autofocus is achieved by processing of a CCD data stream to ensure maximum contrast. Techniques for determining a focus position based on a CCD data stream are known. For example, reference is made to “The Encyclopedia of Photography” editors Leslie Stroebel and Richard Zakia, published 1993 by Butterworth-Heinemann and “Applied Photographic Optics” by London & Boston, Focal Press, 1988. These techniques primarily rely on measurements of contrast between adjacent pixels over portions of an input image. The image is initally processed by the ACP in order to determine a correct autofocus setting.

This autofocus information is then utilized by the ACP 32 in certain modes, for example, when attempting to locate faces within the image, as a guide to the likely size of any face within the image, thereby simplifying the face location process.

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an example of the method utilized to determine likely image characteristics for examination by a face detection algorithm 10.

Various images eg. 2, 3 and 4 are imaged by the camera device 28. As a by product of the operation of the auto-focusing the details of the focusing settings of the autofocus unit 5 are stored by the ACP 32. Additionally, a current position of the zoom motor 38 is also utilized as zoom setting 6. Both of these settings are determined by the ACP 32. Subsequently, the ACP 32 applies analysis techniques in heuristic system 8 to the detected values before producing an output 29 having a magnitude corresponding to the likely depth location of objects of interest 21, 31 or 41 within the image 2, 3 or 4 respectively.

Next, the depth value is utilised in a face detection algorithm 10 running on the ACP 32 in addition to the inputted sensed image 11 so as to locate objects within the image. A close output 29 corresponding to a range value indicates a high probability of a portrait image, a medium range indicates a high probability of a group photograph and a further range indicates a higher probability of a landscape image. This probability information can be utilized as an aid for the face detection algorithm and also can be utilised for selecting between various parameters when producing “painting” effects within the image or painting the image with clip arts or the like, with different techniques or clip arts being applied depending on the distance to an object.

It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.

The present invention is further best utilized in the Artcam device, the details of which are set out in the following paragraphs although it is not restricted thereto.

Ink Jet Technologies

The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Of course many different devices could be used. However presently popular ink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable.

The most significant problem with thermal inkjet is power consumption. This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stems from the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves the rapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink. Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermal inkjet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, from electricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out.

The most significant problem with piezoelectric inkjet is size and cost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the current limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a major impediment to the fabrication of pagewidth print heads with 19,200 nozzles.

Ideally, the inkjet technologies used meet the stringent requirements of in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed, low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digital photography, new inkjet technologies have been created. The target features include:

low power (less than 10 Watts)

high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)

photographic quality output

low manufacturing cost

small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)

high speed (<2 seconds per page).

All of these features can be met or exceeded by the inkjet systems described below with differing levels of difficulty. Fortyfive different inkjet technologies have been developed by the Assignee to give a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. These technologies form part of separate applications assigned to the present Assignee as set out in the table below.

The inkjet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digital printing systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras, through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercial printing systems

For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print head is designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS post processing. For color photographic applications, the print head is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the inkjet type. The smallest print head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of 35 square mm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data and control circuitry.

Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection molded plastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which can be created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standard injection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the wafer to the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. The print head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automated bonding.

CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS

The following table is a guide to cross-referenced patent applications filed concurrently herewith and discussed hereinafter with the reference being utilized in subsequent tables when referring to a particular case:

Docket Reference Title IJ01US 6,227,652 Radiant Plunger Ink Jet Printer IJ02US 6,213,588 Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer IJ03US 6,213,589 Planar Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet IJ04US 6,231,163 Stacked Electrostatic Ink Jet Printer IJ05US 6,247,795 Reverse Spring Lever Ink Jet Printer IJ06US 6,394,581 Paddle Type Ink Jet Printer IJ07US 6,244,691 Permanent Magnet Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ08US 6,257,704 Planar Swing Grill Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ09US 6,416,168 Pump Action Refill Ink Jet Printer IJ10US 6,220,694 Pulsed Magnetic Field Ink Jet Printer IJ11US 6,257,705 Two Plate Reverse Firing Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ12US 6,247,794 Linear Stepper Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ13US 6,234,610 Gear Driven Shutter Ink Jet Printer IJ14US 6,247,793 Tapered Magnetic Pole Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ15US 6,264,306 Linear Spring Electromagnetic Grill Ink Jet Printer IJ16US 6,241,342 Lorenz Diaphragm Electromagnetic Ink Jet Printer IJ17US 6,247,792 PTFE Surface Shooting Shuttered Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer IJ18US 6,264,307 Buckle Grip Oscillating Pressure Ink Jet Printer IJ19US 6,254,220 Shutter Based Ink Jet Printer IJ20US 6,234,611 Curling Calyx Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer IJ21US 6,302,528 Thermal Actuated Ink Jet Printer IJ22US 6,283,582 Iris Motion Ink Jet Printer IJ23US 6,239,821 Direct Firing Thermal Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ24US 6,338,547 Conductive PTFE Ben Activator Vented Ink Jet Printer IJ25US 6,247,796 Magnetostrictive Ink Jet Printer IJ26US 6,557,977 Shape Memory Alloy Ink Jet Printer IJ27US 6,390,603 Buckle Plate Ink Jet Printer IJ28US 6,362,843 Thermal Elastic Rotary Impeller Ink Jet Printer IJ29US 6,293,653 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Ink Jet Printer IJ30US 6,312,107 Thermoelastic Bend Actuator Using PTFE and Corrugated Copper Ink Jet Printer IJ31US 6,227,653 Bend Actuator Direct Ink Supply Ink Jet Printer IJ32US 6,234,609 A High Young's Modulus Thermoelastic Ink Jet Printer IJ33US 6,238,040 Thermally actuated slotted chamber wall ink jet printer IJ34US 6,188,415 Ink Jet Printer having a thermal actuator comprising an external coiled spring IJ35US 6,227,654 Trough Container Ink Jet Printer IJ36US 6,209,989 Dual Chamber Single Vertical Actuator Ink Jet IJ37US 6,247,791 Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Fulcrum Actuator Ink Jet IJ38US 6,336,710 Dual Nozzle Single Horizontal Actuator Ink Jet IJ39US 6,217,153 A single bend actuator cupped paddle ink jet printing device IJ40US 6,416,167 A thermally actuated ink jet printer having a series of thermal actuator units IJ41US 6,243,113 A thermally actuated ink jet printer including a tapered heater element IJ42US 6,283,581 Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet IJ43US 6,247,790 Inverted Radial Back-Curling Thermoelastic Ink Jet IJ44US 6,260,953 Surface bend actuator vented ink supply ink jet printer IJ45US 6,267,469 Coil Acutuated Magnetic Plate Ink Jet Printer

Tables of Drop-on-Demand Inkjets

Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation of individual inkjet nozzles have been identified. These characteristics are largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an eleven dimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix include entries developed by the present assignee.

The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table of inkjet types.

Actuator mechanism (18 types)

Basic operation mode (7 types)

Auxiliary mechanism (8 types)

Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types)

Actuator motion (19 types)

Nozzle refill method (4 types)

Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types)

Nozzle clearing method (9 types)

Nozzle plate construction (9 types)

Drop ejection direction (5 types)

Ink type (7 types)

The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axes contains 36.9 billion possible configurations of inkjet nozzle. While not all of the possible combinations result in a viable inkjet technology, many million configurations are viable. It is clearly impractical to elucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead, certain inkjet types have been investigated in detail. These are designated IJ01 to IJ45 above.

Other inkjet configurations can readily be derived from these fortyfive examples by substituting alternative configurations along one or more of the 11 axes. Most of the IJ01 to IJ45 examples can be made into inkjet print heads with characteristics superior to any currently available inkjet technology.

Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one or more of these examples are listed in the examples column of the tables below. The IJ01 to IJ45 series are also listed in the examples column. In some cases, a print technology may be listed more than once in a table, where it shares characteristics with more than one entry.

Suitable applications include: Home printers, Office network printers, Short run digital printers, Commercial print systems, Fabric printers, Pocket printers, Internet WWW printers, Video printers, Medical imaging, Wide format printers, Notebook PC printers, Fax machines, Industrial printing systems, Photocopiers, Photographic minilabs etc.

The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensional matrix are set out in the following tables.

ACTUATOR MECHANISM (APPLIED ONLY TO SELECTED INK DROPS) Actuator Mechanism Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Thermal An electrothermal heater heats the Large force generated High power Canon Bubblejet bubble ink to above boiling point, Simple construction Ink carrier limited to water 1979 Endo et al GB transferring significant heat to the No moving parts Low efficiency patent 2,007,162 aqueous ink. A bubble nucleates Fast operation High temperatures required Xerox heater-in-pit and quickly forms, expelling the Small chip area required High mechanical stress 1990 Hawkins et al ink. for actuator Unusual materials required U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 The efficiency of the process is Large drive transistors Hewlett-Packard low, with typically less than Cavitation causes actuator failure TIJ 1982 Vaught et 0.05% of the electrical energy Kogation reduces bubble formation al U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728 being transformed into kinetic Large print heads are difficult to energy of the drop. fabricate Piezoelectric A piezoelectric crystal such as Low power consumption Very large area required for Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No. lead lanthanum zirconate (PZT) is Many ink types can be actuator 3,946,398 electrically activated, and either used Difficult to integrate with Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. expands, shears, or bends to apply Fast operation electronics 3,683,212 pressure to the ink, ejecting drops. High efficiency High voltage drive transistors 1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No. required 3,747,120 Full pagewidth print heads Epson Stylus impractical due to actuator size Tektronix Requires electrical poling in high IJ04 field strengths during manufacture Electro- An electric field is used to Low power consumption Low maximum strain (approx. Seiko Epson, Usui strictive activate electrostriction in relaxor Many ink types can be 0.01%) et all JP 253401/96 materials such as lead lanthanum used Large area required for actuator due IJ04 zirconate titanate (PLZT) or lead Low thermal expansion to low strain magnesium niobate (PMN). Electric field strength Response speed is marginal (~10 μs) required (approx. 3.5 V/μm) High voltage drive transistors can be generated required without difficulty Full pagewidth print heads Does not require impractical due to actuator size electrical poling Ferroelectric An electric field is used to induce Low power consumption Difficult to integrate with IJ04 a phase transition between the Many ink types can be electronics antiferroelectric (AFE) and used Unusual materials such as PLZSnT ferroelectric (FE) phase. Fast operation (<1 μs) are required Perovskite materials such as tin Relatively high Actuators require a large area modified lead lanthanum longitudinal strain zirconate titanate (PLZSnT) High efficiency exhibit large strains of up to 1% Electric field strength of associated with the AFE to FE around 3 V/μm can be phase transition. readily provided Electrostatic Conductive plates are separated Low power consumption Difficult to operate electrostatic IJ02, IJ04 plates by a compressible or fluid Many ink types can be devices in an aqueous environment dielectric (usually air). Upon used The electrostatic actuator will application of a voltage, the plates Fast operation normally need to be separated from attract each other and displace the ink ink, causing drop ejection. The Very large area required to achieve conductive plates may be in a high forces comb or honeycomb structure, or High voltage drive transistors may stacked to increase the surface be required area and therefore the force. Full pagewidth print heads are not competitive due to actuator size Electrostatic A strong electric field is applied Low current consumption High voltage required 1989 Saito et al, pull on ink to the ink, whereupon electrostatic Low temperature May be damaged by sparks due to U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068 attraction accelerates the ink air breakdown 1989 Miura et al, towards the print medium. Required field strength increases as U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,954 the drop size decreases Tone-jet High voltage drive transistors required Electrostatic field attracts dust Permanent An electromagnet directly attracts Low power consumption Complex fabrication IJ07, IJ10 magnet a permanent magnet, displacing Many ink types can be Permanent magnetic material such electro- ink and causing drop ejection. used as Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) magnetic Rare earth magnets with a field Fast operation required. strength around 1 Tesla can be High efficiency High local currents required used. Examples are: Samarium Easy extension from Copper metalization should be used Cobalt (SaCo) and magnetic single nozzles to for long electromigration lifetime materials in the neodymium iron pagewidth print heads and low resistivity boron family (NdFeB, Pigmented inks are usually NdDyFeBNb, NdDyFeB, etc) infeasible Operating temperature limited to the Curie temperature (around 540 K) Soft magnetic A solenoid induced a magnetic Low power consumption Complex fabrication IJ01, IJ05, IJ08, core electro- field in a soft magnetic core or Many ink types can be Materials not usually present in a IJ10 magnetic yoke fabricated from a ferrous used CMOS fab such as NiFe, CoNiFe, IJ12, IJ14, IJ15, material such as electroplated iron Fast operation or CoFe are required IJ17 alloys such as CoNiFe [1], CoFe, High efficiency High local currents required or NiFe alloys. Typically, the soft Easy extension from Copper metalization should be used magnetic material is in two parts, single nozzles to for long electromigration lifetime which are normally held apart by pagewidth print heads and low resistivity a spring. When the solenoid is Electroplating is required actuated, the two parts attract, High saturation flux density is displacing the ink. required (2.0-2.1 T is achievable with CoNiFe [1]) Magnetic The Lorenz force acting on a Low power consumption Force acts as a twisting motion IJ06, IJ11, IJ13, Lorenz force current carrying wire in a Many ink types can be Typically, only a quarter of the IJ16 magnetic field is utilized. used solenoid length provides force in a This allows the magnetic field to Fast operation useful direction be supplied externally to the print High efficiency High local currents required head, for example with rare earth Easy extension from Copper metalization should be used permanent magnets. single nozzles to for long electromigration lifetime Only the current carrying wire pagewidth print heads and low resistivity need be fabricated on the print- Pigmented inks are usually head, simplifying materials infeasible requirements. Magneto- The actuator uses the giant Many ink types can be Force acts as a twisting motion Fischenbeck, U.S. Pat. No. striction magnetostrictive effect of used Unusual materials such as Terfenol- 4,032,929 materials such as Terfenol-D (an Fast operation D are required IJ25 alloy of terbium, dysprosium and Easy extension from High local currents required iron developed at the Naval single nozzles to Copper metalization should be used Ordnance Laboratory, hence Ter- pagewidth print heads for long electromigration lifetime Fe-NOL). For best efficiency, the High force is available and low resistivity actuator should be pre-stressed to Pre-stressing may be required approx. 8 MPa. Surface Ink under positive pressure is held Low power consumption Requires supplementary force to Silverbrook, EP tension in a nozzle by surface tension. Simple construction effect drop separation 0771 658 A2 and reduction The surface tension of the ink is No unusual materials Requires special ink surfactants related patent reduced below the bubble required in fabrication Speed may be limited by surfactant applications threshold, causing the ink to High efficiency properties egress from the nozzle. Easy extension from single nozzles to pagewidth print heads Viscosity The ink viscosity is locally Simple construction Requires supplementary force to Silverbrook, EP reduction reduced to select which drops are No unusual materials effect drop separation 0771 658 A2 and to be ejected. A viscosity required in fabrication Requires special ink viscosity related patent reduction can be achieved Easy extension from properties applications electrothermally with most inks, single nozzles to High speed is difficult to achieve but special inks can be engineered pagewidth print heads Requires oscillating ink pressure for a 100:1 viscosity reduction. A high temperature difference (typically 80 degrees) is required Acoustic An acoustic wave is generated Can operate without a Complex drive circuitry 1993 Hadimioglu et and focussed upon the drop nozzle plate Complex fabrication al, EUP 550,192 ejection region. Low efficiency 1993 Elrod et al, Poor control of drop position EUP 572,220 Poor control of drop volume Thermoelastic An actuator which relies upon Low power consumption Efficient aqueous operation requires IJ03, IJ09, IJ17, bend differential thermal expansion Many ink types can be a thermal insulator on the hot side IJ18 actuator upon Joule heating is used. used Corrosion prevention can be IJ19, IJ20, IJ21, Simple planar fabrication difficult IJ22 Small chip area required Pigmented inks may be infeasible, IJ23, IJ24, IJ27, for each actuator as pigment particles may jam the IJ28 Fast operation bend actuator IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, High efficiency IJ32 CMOS compatible IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, voltages and currents IJ36 Standard MEMS IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, processes can be used IJ40 Easy extension from IJ41 single nozzles to pagewidth print heads High CTE A material with a very high High force can be Requires special material (e.g. IJ09, IJ17, IJ18, thermoelastic coefficient of thermal expansion generated PTFE) IJ20 actuator (CTE) such as PTFE is a candidate for Requires a PTFE deposition IJ21, IJ22, IJ23, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is low dielectric constant process, which is not yet standard in IJ24 used. As high CTE materials are insulation in ULSI ULSI fabs IJ27, IJ28, IJ29, usually non-conductive, a heater Very low power PTFE deposition cannot be IJ30 fabricated from a conductive consumption followed with high temperature IJ31, IJ42, IJ43, material is incorporated. A 50 μm Many ink types can be (above 350° C.) processing IJ44 long PTFE bend actuator with used Pigmented inks may be infeasible, polysilicon heater and 15 mW Simple planar fabrication as pigment particles may jam the power input can provide 180 μN Small chip area required bend actuator force and 10 μm deflection. for each actuator Actuator motions include: Fast operation 1) Bend High efficiency 2) Push CMOS compatible 3) Buckle voltages and currents 4) Rotate Easy extension from single nozzles to pagewidth print heads Conductive A polymer with a high coefficient High force can be Requires special materials IJ24 polymer of thermal expansion (such as generated development (High CTE conductive thermoelastic PTFE) is doped with conducting Very low power polymer) actuator substances to increase its consumption Requires a PTFE deposition conductivity to about 3 orders of Many ink types can be process, which is not yet standard in magnitude below that of copper. used ULSI fabs The conducting polymer expands Simple planar fabrication PTFE deposition cannot be when resistively heated. Small chip area required followed with high temperature Examples of conducting dopants for each actuator (above 350° C.) processing include: Fast operation Evaporation and CVD deposition 1) Carbon nanotubes High efficiency techniques cannot be used 2) Metal fibers CMOS compatible Pigmented inks may be infeasible, 3) Conductive polymers such as voltages and currents as pigment particles may jam the doped polythiophene Easy extension from bend actuator 4) Carbon granules single nozzles to pagewidth print heads Shape A shape memory alloy such as High force is available Fatigue limits maximum number of IJ26 memory alloy TiNi (also known as Nitinol - (stresses of hundreds of cycles Nickel Titanium alloy developed MPa) Low strain (1%) is required to at the Naval Ordnance Large strain is available extend fatigue resistance Laboratory) is thermally switched (more than 3%) Cycle rate limited by heat removal between its weak martensitic state High corrosion resistance Requires unusual materials (TiNi) and its high stiffness austenic Simple construction The latent heat of transformation state. The shape of the actuator in Easy extension from must be provided its martensitic state is deformed single nozzles to High current operation relative to the austenic shape. The pagewidth print heads Requires pre-stressing to distort the shape change causes ejection of a Low voltage operation martensitic state drop. Linear Linear magnetic actuators include Linear Magnetic Requires unusual semiconductor IJ12 Magnetic the Linear Induction Actuator actuators can be materials such as soft magnetic Actuator (LIA), Linear Permanent Magnet constructed with high alloys (e.g. CoNiFe [1]) Synchronous Actuator (LPMSA), thrust, long travel, and Some varieties also require Linear Reluctance Synchronous high efficiency using permanent magnetic materials such Actuator (LRSA), Linear planar semiconductor as Neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) Switched Reluctance Actuator fabrication techniques Requires complex multi-phase drive (LSRA), and the Linear Stepper Long actuator travel is circuitry Actuator (LSA). available High current operation Medium force is available Low voltage operation

BASIC OPERATION MODE Operational mode Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Actuator This is the simplest mode of Simple operation Drop repetition rate is usually Thermal inkjet directly operation: the actuator directly No external fields limited to less than 10 KHz. Piezoelectric inkjet pushes ink supplies sufficient kinetic energy required However, this is not fundamental to IJ01, IJ02, IJ03, to expel the drop. The drop must Satellite drops can be the method, but is related to the IJ04 have a sufficient velocity to overcome the avoided if drop velocity is refill method normally used IJ05, IJ06, IJ07, surface tension. less than 4 m/s All of the drop kinetic energy must IJ09 Can be efficient, be provided by the actuator IJ11, IJ12, IJ14, depending upon the Satellite drops usually form if drop IJ16 actuator used velocity is greater than 4.5 m/s IJ20, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 IJ25, IJ26, IJ27, IJ28 IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40 IJ41, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 Proximity The drops to be printed are Very simple print head Requires close proximity between Silverbrook, EP selected by some manner (e.g. fabrication can be used the print head and the print media or 0771 658 A2 and thermally induced surface tension The drop selection means transfer roller related patent reduction of pressurized ink). does not need to provide May require two print heads applications Selected drops are separated from the energy required to printing alternate rows of the image the ink in the nozzle by contact separate the drop from the Monolithic color print heads are with the print medium or a nozzle difficult transfer roller. Electrostatic The drops to be printed are Very simple print head Requires very high electrostatic Silverbrook, EP pull on ink selected by some manner (e.g. fabrication can be used field 0771 658 A2 and thermally induced surface tension The drop selection means Electrostatic field for small nozzle related patent reduction of pressurized ink). does not need to provide sizes is above air breakdown applications Selected drops are separated from the energy required to Electrostatic field may attract dust Tone-Jet the ink in the nozzle by a strong separate the drop from the electric field. nozzle Magnetic pull The drops to be printed are Very simple print head Requires magnetic ink Silverbrook, EP on ink selected by some manner (e.g. fabrication can be used Ink colors other than black are 0771 658 A2 and thermally induced surface tension The drop selection means difficult related patent reduction of pressurized ink). does not need to provide Requires very high magnetic fields applications Selected drops are separated from the energy required to the ink in the nozzle by a strong separate the drop from the magnetic field acting on the nozzle magnetic ink. Shutter The actuator moves a shutter to High speed (>50 KHz) Moving parts are required IJ13, IJ17, IJ21 block ink flow to the nozzle. The operation can be achieved Requires ink pressure modulator ink pressure is pulsed at a due to reduced refill time Friction and wear must be multiple of the drop ejection Drop timing can be very considered frequency. accurate Stiction is possible The actuator energy can be very low Shuttered The actuator moves a shutter to Actuators with small Moving parts are required IJ08, IJ15, IJ18, grill block ink flow through a grill to travel can be used Requires ink pressure modulator IJ19 the nozzle. The shutter movement Actuators with small Friction and wear must be need only be equal to the width of force can be used considered the grill holes. High speed (>50 KHz) Stiction is possible operation can be achieved Pulsed A pulsed magnetic field attracts Extremely low energy Requires an external pulsed IJ10 magnetic pull an ‘ink pusher’ at the drop operation is possible magnetic field on ink pusher ejection frequency. An actuator No heat dissipation Requires special materials for both controls a catch, which prevents problems the actuator and the ink pusher the ink pusher from moving when Complex construction a drop is not to be ejected.

AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES) Auxiliary Mechanism Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples None The actuator directly fires the ink Simplicity of construction Drop ejection energy must be Most inkjets, drop, and there is no external field Simplicity of operation supplied by individual nozzle including or other mechanism required. Small physical size actuator piezoelectric and thermal bubble. IJ01-IJ07, IJ09, IJ11 IJ12, IJ14, IJ20, IJ22 IJ23-IJ45 Oscillating The ink pressure oscillates, Oscillating ink pressure Requires external ink pressure Silverbrook, EP ink pressure providing much of the drop can provide a refill pulse, oscillator 0771 658 A2 and (including ejection energy. The actuator allowing higher operating Ink pressure phase and amplitude related patent acoustic selects which drops are to be fired speed must be carefully controlled applications stimulation) by selectively blocking or The actuators may Acoustic reflections in the ink IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, enabling nozzles. The ink operate with much lower chamber must be designed for IJ17 pressure oscillation may be energy IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 achieved by vibrating the print Acoustic lenses can be head, or preferably by an actuator used to focus the sound in the ink supply. on the nozzles Media The print head is placed in close Low power Precision assembly required Silverbrook, EP proximity proximity to the print medium. High accuracy Paper fibers may cause problems 0771 658 A2 and Selected drops protrude from the Simple print head Cannot print on rough substrates related patent print head further than unselected construction applications drops, and contact the print medium. The drop soaks into the medium fast enough to cause drop separation. Transfer Drops are printed to a transfer High accuracy Bulky Silverbrook, EP roller roller instead of straight to the Wide range of print Expensive 0771 658 A2 and print medium. A transfer roller substrates can be used Complex construction related patent can also be used for proximity Ink can be dried on the applications drop separation. transfer roller Tektronix hot melt piezoelectric inkjet Any of the IJ series Electrostatic An electric field is used to Low power Field strength required for Silverbrook, EP accelerate selected drops towards Simple print head separation of small drops is near or 0771 658 A2 and the print medium. construction above air breakdown related patent applications Tone-Jet Direct A magnetic field is used to Low power Requires magnetic ink Silverbrook, EP magnetic accelerate selected drops of Simple print head Requires strong magnetic field 0771 658 A2 and field magnetic ink towards the print construction related patent medium. applications Cross The print head is placed in a Does not require Requires external magnet IJ06, IJ16 magnetic constant magnetic field. The magnetic materials to be Current densities may be high, field Lorenz force in a current carrying integrated in the print resulting in electromigration wire is used to move the actuator. head manufacturing problems process Pulsed A pulsed magnetic field is used to Very low power Complex print head construction IJ10 magnetic cyclically attract a paddle, which operation is possible Magnetic materials required in print field pushes on the ink. A small Small print head size head actuator moves a catch, which selectively prevents the paddle from moving.

ACTUATOR AMPLIFICATION OR MODIFICATION METHOD Actuator amplification Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples None No actuator mechanical Operational simplicity Many actuator mechanisms have Thermal Bubble amplification is used. The insufficient travel, or insufficient Inkjet actuator directly drives the drop force, to efficiently drive the drop IJ01, IJ02, IJ06, ejection process. ejection process IJ07 IJ16, IJ25, IJ26 Differential An actuator material expands Provides greater travel in High stresses are involved Piezoelectric expansion more on one side than on the a reduced print head area Care must be taken that the IJ03, IJ09, IJ17-IJ24 bend actuator other. The expansion may be The bend actuator materials do not delaminate IJ27, IJ29-IJ39, thermal, piezoelectric, converts a high force low Residual bend resulting from high IJ42, magnetostrictive, or other travel actuator temperature or high stress during IJ43, IJ44 mechanism. mechanism to high travel, formation lower force mechanism. Transient A trilayer bend actuator where the Very good temperature High stresses are involved IJ40, IJ41 bend actuator two outside layers are identical. stability Care must be taken that the This cancels bend due to ambient High speed, as a new materials do not delaminate temperature and residual stress. drop can be fired before The actuator only responds to heat dissipates transient heating of one side or the Cancels residual stress of other. formation Actuator A series of thin actuators are Increased travel Increased fabrication complexity Some piezoelectric stack stacked. This can be appropriate Reduced drive voltage Increased possibility of short ink jets where actuators require high circuits due to pinholes IJ04 electric field strength, such as electrostatic and piezoelectric actuators. Multiple Multiple smaller actuators are Increases the force Actuator forces may not add IJ12, IJ13, IJ18, actuators used simultaneously to move the available from an actuator linearly, reducing efficiency IJ20 ink. Each actuator need provide Multiple actuators can be IJ22, IJ28, IJ42, only a portion of the force positioned to control ink IJ43 required. flow accurately Linear Spring A linear spring is used to Matches low travel Requires print head area for the IJ15 transform a motion with small actuator with higher spring travel and high force into a longer travel requirements travel, lower force motion. Non-contact method of motion transformation Reverse The actuator loads a spring. When Better coupling to the ink Fabrication complexity IJ05, IJ11 spring the actuator is turned off, the High stress in the spring spring releases. This can reverse the force/distance curve of the actuator to make it compatible with the force/time requirements of the drop ejection. Coiled A bend actuator is coiled to Increases travel Generally restricted to planar IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, actuator provide greater travel in a reduced Reduces chip area implementations due to extreme IJ35 chip area. Planar implementations fabrication difficulty in other are relatively easy to orientations. fabricate. Flexure bend A bend actuator has a small Simple means of Care must be taken not to exceed IJ10, IJ19, IJ33 actuator region near the fixture point, increasing travel of a the elastic limit in the flexure area which flexes much more readily bend actuator Stress distribution is very uneven than the remainder of the actuator. Difficult to accurately model with The actuator flexing is effectively finite element analysis converted from an even coiling to an angular bend, resulting in greater travel of the actuator tip. Gears Gears can be used to increase Low force, low travel Moving parts are required IJ13 travel at the expense of duration. actuators can be used Several actuator cycles are required Circular gears, rack and pinion, Can be fabricated using More complex drive electronics ratchets, and other gearing standard surface MEMS Complex construction methods can be used. processes Friction, friction, and wear are possible Catch The actuator controls a small Very low actuator energy Complex construction IJ10 catch. The catch either enables or Very small actuator size Requires external force disables movement of an ink Unsuitable for pigmented inks pusher that is controlled in a bulk manner. Buckle plate A buckle plate can be used to Very fast movement Must stay within elastic limits of the S. Hirata et al, “An change a slow actuator into a fast achievable materials for long device life Ink-jet Head . . . ”, motion. It can also convert a high High stresses involved Proc. IEEE MEMS, force, low travel actuator into a Generally high power requirement February 1996, pp 418-423. high travel, medium force motion. IJ18, IJ27 Tapered A tapered magnetic pole can Linearizes the magnetic Complex construction IJ14 magnetic increase travel at the expense of force/distance curve pole force. Lever A lever and fulcrum is used to Matches low travel High stress around the fulcrum IJ32, IJ36, IJ37 transform a motion with small actuator with higher travel and high force into a travel requirements motion with longer travel and Fulcrum area has no lower force. The lever can also linear movement, and can reverse the direction of travel. be used for a fluid seal Rotary The actuator is connected to a High mechanical Complex construction IJ28 impeller rotary impeller. A small angular advantage Unsuitable for pigmented inks deflection of the actuator results The ratio of force to in a rotation of the impeller vanes, travel of the actuator can which push the ink against be matched to the nozzle stationary vanes and out of the requirements by varying nozzle. the number of impeller vanes Acoustic lens A refractive or diffractive (e.g. No moving parts Large area required 1993 Hadimioglu et zone plate) acoustic lens is used to Only relevant for acoustic ink jets al, EUP 550,192 concentrate sound waves. 1993 Elrod et al, EUP 572,220 Sharp A sharp point is used to Simple construction Difficult to fabricate using standard Tone-jet conductive concentrate an electrostatic field. VLSI processes for a surface point ejecting ink-jet Only relevant for electrostatic ink jets

ACTUATOR MOTION Actuator motion Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Volume The volume of the actuator Simple construction in High energy is typically required to Hewlett-Packard expansion changes, pushing the ink in all the case of thermal ink jet achieve volume expansion. This Thermal Inkjet directions. leads to thermal stress, cavitation, Canon Bubblejet and kogation in thermal ink jet implementations Linear, The actuator moves in a direction Efficient coupling to ink High fabrication complexity may be IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, normal to normal to the print head surface. drops ejected normal to required to achieve perpendicular IJ07 chip surface The nozzle is typically in the line the surface motion IJ11, IJ14 of movement. Linear, The actuator moves parallel to the Suitable for planar Fabrication complexity IJ12, IJ13, IJ15, parallel to print head surface. Drop ejection fabrication Friction IJ33, chip surface may still be normal to the surface. Stiction IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 Membrane An actuator with a high force but The effective area of the Fabrication complexity 1982 Howkins U.S. Pat. No. push small area is used to push a stiff actuator becomes the Actuator size 4,459,601 membrane that is in contact with membrane area Difficulty of integration in a VLSI the ink. process Rotary The actuator causes the rotation of Rotary levers may be Device complexity IJ05, IJ08, IJ13, some element, such a grill or used to increase travel May have friction at a pivot point IJ28 impeller Small chip area requirements Bend The actuator bends when A very small change in Requires the actuator to be made 1970 Kyser et al energized. This may be due to dimensions can be from at least two distinct layers, or U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,398 differential thermal expansion, converted to a large to have a thermal difference across 1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No. piezoelectric expansion, motion. the actuator 3,747,120 magnetostriction, or other form of IJ03, IJ09, IJ10, relative dimensional change. IJ19 IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ29 IJ30, IJ31, IJ33, IJ34 IJ35 Swivel The actuator swivels around a Allows operation where Inefficient coupling to the ink IJ06 central pivot. This motion is the net linear force on the motion suitable where there are opposite paddle is zero forces applied to opposite sides of Small chip area the paddle, e.g. Lorenz force. requirements Straighten The actuator is normally bent, and Can be used with shape Requires careful balance of stresses IJ26, IJ32 straightens when energized. memory alloys where the to ensure that the quiescent bend is austenic phase is planar accurate Double bend The actuator bends in one One actuator can be used Difficult to make the drops ejected IJ36, IJ37, IJ38 direction when one element is to power two nozzles. by both bend directions identical. energized, and bends the other Reduced chip size. A small efficiency loss compared to way when another element is Not sensitive to ambient equivalent single bend actuators. energized. temperature Shear Energizing the actuator causes a Can increase the effective Not readily applicable to other 1985 Fishbeck U.S. Pat. No. shear motion in the actuator travel of piezoelectric actuator mechanisms 4,584,590 material. actuators Radial The actuator squeezes an ink Relatively easy to High force required 1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. constriction reservoir, forcing ink from a fabricate single nozzles Inefficient 3,683,212 constricted nozzle. from glass tubing as Difficult to integrate with VLSI macroscopic structures processes Coil/uncoil A coiled actuator uncoils or coils Easy to fabricate as a Difficult to fabricate for non-planar IJ17, IJ21, IJ34, more tightly. The motion of the planar VLSI process devices IJ35 free end of the actuator ejects the Small area required, Poor out-of-plane stiffness ink. therefore low cost Bow The actuator bows (or buckles) in Can increase the speed of Maximum travel is constrained IJ16, IJ18, IJ27 the middle when energized. travel High force required Mechanically rigid Push-Pull Two actuators control a shutter. The structure is pinned at Not readily suitable for inkjets IJ18 One actuator pulls the shutter, and both ends, so has a high which directly push the ink the other pushes it. out-of-plane rigidity Curl inwards A set of actuators curl inwards to Good fluid flow to the Design complexity IJ20, IJ42 reduce the volume of ink that they region behind the actuator enclose. increases efficiency Curl A set of actuators curl outwards, Relatively simple Relatively large chip area IJ43 outwards pressurizing ink in a chamber construction surrounding the actuators, and expelling ink from a nozzle in the chamber. Iris Multiple vanes enclose a volume High efficiency High fabrication complexity IJ22 of ink. These simultaneously Small chip area Not suitable for pigmented inks rotate, reducing the volume between the vanes. Acoustic The actuator vibrates at a high The actuator can be Large area required for efficient 1993 Hadimioglu et vibration frequency. physically distant from operation at useful frequencies al, EUP 550,192 the ink Acoustic coupling and crosstalk 1993 Elrod et al, Complex drive circuitry EUP 572,220 Poor control of drop volume and position None In various ink jet designs the No moving parts Various other tradeoffs are required Silverbrook, EP actuator does not move. to eliminate moving parts 0771 658 A2 and related patent applications Tone-jet

NOZZLE REFILL METHOD Nozzle refill method Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Surface After the actuator is energized, it Fabrication simplicity Low speed Thermal inkjet tension typically returns rapidly to its Operational simplicity Surface tension force relatively Piezoelectric inkjet normal position. This rapid return small compared to actuator force IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14 sucks in air through the nozzle Long refill time usually dominates IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45 opening. The ink surface tension the total repetition rate at the nozzle then exerts a small force restoring the meniscus to a minimum area. Shuttered Ink to the nozzle chamber is High speed Requires common ink pressure IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, oscillating provided at a pressure that Low actuator energy, as oscillator IJ17 ink pressure oscillates at twice the drop the actuator need only May not be suitable for pigmented IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 ejection frequency. When a drop open or close the shutter, inks is to be ejected, the shutter is instead of ejecting the ink opened for 3 half cycles: drop drop ejection, actuator return, and refill. Refill After the main actuator has High speed, as the nozzle Requires two independent actuators IJ09 actuator ejected a drop a second (refill) is actively refilled per nozzle actuator is energized. The refill actuator pushes ink into the nozzle chamber. The refill actuator returns slowly, to prevent its return from emptying the chamber again. Positive ink The ink is held a slight positive High refill rate, therefore Surface spill must be prevented Silverbrook, EP pressure pressure. After the ink drop is a high drop repetition rate Highly hydrophobic print head 0771 658 A2 and ejected, the nozzle chamber fills is possible surfaces are required related patent quickly as surface tension and ink applications pressure both operate to refill the Alternative for: nozzle. IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14 IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45

METHOD OF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET Inlet back- flow restriction method Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Long inlet channel The ink inlet channel to the nozzle Design simplicity Restricts refill rate Thermal inkjet chamber is made long and Operational simplicity May result in a relatively large chip Piezoelectric inkjet relatively narrow, relying on Reduces crosstalk area IJ42, IJ43 viscous drag to reduce inlet back- Only partially effective flow. Positive ink The ink is under a positive Drop selection and Requires a method (such as a nozzle rim Silverbrook, EP pressure pressure, so that in the quiescent separation forces can be or effective hydrophobizing, or 0771 658 A2 and state some of the ink drop already reduced both) to prevent flooding of the related patent protrudes from the nozzle. Fast refill time ejection surface of the print head. applications This reduces the pressure in the Possible operation nozzle chamber which is required of the following: to eject a certain volume of ink. IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12 The reduction in chamber IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, pressure results in a reduction in IJ22, ink pushed out through the inlet. IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ41 IJ44 Baffle One or more baffles are placed in The refill rate is not as Design complexity HP Thermal Ink Jet the inlet ink flow. When the restricted as the long inlet May increase fabrication Tektronix actuator is energized, the rapid ink method. complexity (e.g. Tektronix hot melt piezoelectric ink jet movement creates eddies which Reduces crosstalk Piezoelectric print heads). restrict the flow through the inlet. The slower refill process is unrestricted, and does not result in eddies. Flexible flap In this method recently disclosed Significantly reduces Not applicable to most inkjet Canon restricts inlet by Canon, the expanding actuator back-flow for edge- configurations (bubble) pushes on a flexible flap shooter thermal ink jet Increased fabrication complexity that restricts the inlet. devices Inelastic deformation of polymer flap results in creep over extended use Inlet filter A filter is located between the ink Additional advantage of Restricts refill rate IJ04, IJ12, IJ24, inlet and the nozzle chamber. The ink filtration May result in complex construction IJ27 filter has a multitude of small Ink filter may be IJ29, IJ30 holes or slots, restricting ink flow. fabricated with no The filter also removes particles additional process steps which may block the nozzle. Small inlet The ink inlet channel to the nozzle Design simplicity Restricts refill rate IJ02, IJ37, IJ44 compared to chamber has a substantially May result in a relatively large chip nozzle smaller cross section than that of area the nozzle, resulting in easier ink Only partially effective egress out of the nozzle than out of the inlet. Inlet shutter A secondary actuator controls the Increases speed of the Requires separate refill actuator and IJ09 position of a shutter, closing off ink-jet print head drive circuit the ink inlet when the main operation actuator is energized. The inlet is The method avoids the problem of Back-flow problem is Requires careful design to minimize IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, located inlet back-flow by arranging the eliminated the negative pressure behind the IJ06 behind the ink-pushing surface of the paddle IJ07, IJ10, IJ11, ink-pushing actuator between the inlet and the IJ14 surface nozzle. IJ16, IJ22, IJ23, IJ25 IJ28, IJ31, IJ32, IJ33 IJ34, IJ35, IJ36, IJ39 IJ40, IJ41 Part of the The actuator and a wall of the ink Significant reductions in Small increase in fabrication IJ07, IJ20, IJ26, actuator chamber are arranged so that the back-flow can be complexity IJ38 moves to motion of the actuator closes off achieved shut off the the inlet. Compact designs possible inlet Nozzle In some configurations of ink jet, Ink back-flow problem is None related to ink back-flow on Silverbrook, EP actuator does there is no expansion or eliminated actuation 0771 658 A2 and not result in movement of an actuator which related patent ink back-flow may cause ink back-flow through the applications inlet. Valve-jet Tone-jet IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 IJ18, IJ19, IJ21

NOZZLE CLEARING METHOD Nozzle Clearing method Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Normal All of the nozzles are fired No added complexity on May not be sufficient to displace Most ink jet nozzle firing periodically, before the ink has a the print head dried ink systems chance to dry. When not in use IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12 the nozzles are sealed (capped) IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, against air. IJ22 The nozzle firing is usually IJ23-IJ34, IJ36-IJ45 performed during a special clearing cycle, after first moving the print head to a cleaning station. Extra power In systems which heat the ink, but Can be highly effective if Requires higher drive voltage for Silverbrook, EP to ink heater do not boil it under normal the heater is adjacent to clearing 0771 658 A2 and situations, nozzle clearing can be the nozzle May require larger drive transistors related patent achieved by over-powering the applications heater and boiling ink at the nozzle. Rapid The actuator is fired in rapid Does not require extra Effectiveness depends substantially May be used with: succession succession. In some drive circuits on the print upon the configuration of the inkjet IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ11 of actuator configurations, this may cause head nozzle IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, pulses heat build-up at the nozzle which Can be readily controlled IJ22 boils the ink, clearing the nozzle. and initiated by digital IJ23-IJ25, IJ27-IJ34 In other situations, it may cause logic IJ36-IJ45 sufficient vibrations to dislodge clogged nozzles. Extra power Where an actuator is not normally A simple solution where Not suitable where there is a hard May be used with: to ink driven to the limit of its motion, applicable limit to actuator movement IJ03, IJ09, IJ16, pushing nozzle clearing may be assisted IJ20 actuator by providing an enhanced drive IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, signal to the actuator. IJ27 IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, IJ42 IJ43, IJ44, IJ45 Acoustic An ultrasonic wave is applied to A high nozzle clearing High implementation cost if system IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, resonance the ink chamber. This wave is of capability can be does not already include an acoustic IJ17 an appropriate amplitude and achieved actuator IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 frequency to cause sufficient force May be implemented at at the nozzle to clear blockages. very low cost in systems This is easiest to achieve if the which already include ultrasonic wave is at a resonant acoustic actuators frequency of the ink cavity. Nozzle A microfabricated plate is pushed Can clear severely Accurate mechanical alignment is Silverbrook, EP clearing against the nozzles. The plate has clogged nozzles required 0771 658 A2 and plate a post for every nozzle. The array Moving parts are required related patent of posts There is risk of damage to the applications nozzles Accurate fabrication is required Ink pressure The pressure of the ink is May be effective where Requires pressure pump or other May be used with pulse temporarily increased so that ink other methods cannot be pressure actuator all IJ series ink jets streams from all of the nozzles. used Expensive This may be used in conjunction Wasteful of ink with actuator energizing. Print head A flexible ‘blade’ is wiped across Effective for planar print Difficult to use if print head surface Many ink jet wiper the print head surface. The blade head surfaces is non-planar or very fragile systems is usually fabricated from a Low cost Requires mechanical parts flexible polymer, e.g. rubber or Blade can wear out in high volume synthetic elastomer. print systems Separate ink A separate heater is provided at Can be effective where Fabrication complexity Can be used with boiling the nozzle although the normal other nozzle clearing many IJ series ink heater drop e-ection mechanism does methods cannot be used jets not require it. The heaters do not Can be implemented at no require individual drive circuits, additional cost in some as many nozzles can be cleared inkjet configurations simultaneously, and no imaging is required.

NOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION Nozzle plate construction Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Electroformed A nozzle plate is separately Fabrication simplicity High temperatures and pressures are Hewlett Packard Thermal Inkjet nickel fabricated from electroformed required to bond nozzle plate nickel, and bonded to the print Minimum thickness constraints head chip. Differential thermal expansion Laser ablated Individual nozzle holes are No masks required Each hole must be individually Canon Bubblejet or drilled ablated by an intense UV laser in Can be quite fast formed 1988 Sercel et al., polymer a nozzle plate, which is typically a Some control over nozzle Special equipment required SPIE, Vol. 998 polymer such as polyimide or profile is possible Slow where there are many Excimer Beam polysulphone Equipment required is thousands of nozzles per print head Applications, pp. relatively low cost May produce thin burrs at exit holes 76-83 1993 Watanabe et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,604 Silicon micro- A separate nozzle plate is High accuracy is Two part construction K. Bean, IEEE machined micromachined from single attainable High cost Transactions on crystal silicon, and bonded to the Requires precision alignment Electron Devices, print head wafer. Nozzles may be clogged by Vol. ED-25, No. 10, adhesive 1978, pp 1185-1195 Xerox 1990 Hawkins et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 Glass Fine glass capillaries are drawn No expensive equipment Very small nozzle sizes are difficult 1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. capillaries from glass tubing. This method required to form 3,683,212 has been used for making Simple to make single Not suited for mass production individual nozzles, but is difficult nozzles to use for bulk manufacturing of print heads with thousands of nozzles. Monolithic, The nozzle plate is deposited as a High accuracy (<1 μm) Requires sacrificial layer under the Silverbrook, EP surface layer using standard VLSI Monolithic nozzle plate to form the nozzle 0771 658 A2 and micro- deposition techniques. Nozzles Low cost chamber related patent machined are etched in the nozzle plate Existing processes can be Surface may be fragile to the touch applications using VLSI using VLSI lithography and used IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, lithographic etching. IJ11 processes IJ12, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20 IJ22, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28 IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 IJ33, IJ34, IJ36, IJ37 IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, IJ41 IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 Monolithic, The nozzle plate is a buried etch High accuracy (<1 μm) Requires long etch times IJ03, IJ05, IJ06, etched stop in the wafer. Nozzle Monolithic Requires a support wafer IJ07 through chambers are etched in the front Low cost IJ08, IJ09, IJ10, substrate of the wafer, and the wafer is No differential expansion IJ13 thinned from the back side. IJ14, IJ15, IJ16, Nozzles are then etched in the IJ19 etch stop layer. IJ21, IJ23, IJ25, IJ26 No nozzle Various methods have been tried No nozzles to become Difficult to control drop position Ricoh 1995 Sekiya plate to eliminate the nozzles entirely, clogged accurately et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,413 to prevent nozzle clogging. These Crosstalk problems 1993 Hadimioglu et include thermal bubble al EUP 550,192 mechanisms and acoustic lens 1993 Elrod et al mechanisms EUP 572,220 Trough Each drop ejector has a trough Reduced manufacturing Drop firing direction is sensitive to IJ35 through which a paddle moves. complexity wicking. There is no nozzle plate. Monolithic Nozzle slit The elimination of nozzle holes No nozzles to become Difficult to control drop position 1989 Saito et al instead of and replacement by a slit clogged accurately U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068 individual encompassing many actuator Crosstalk problems nozzles positions reduces nozzle clogging, but increases crosstalk due to ink surface waves

DROP EJECTION DIRECTION Ejection direction Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Edge Ink flow is along the surface of Simple construction Nozzles limited to edge Canon Bubblejet 1979 Endo (‘edge the chip, and ink drops are ejected No silicon etching High resolution is difficult et al GB shooter’) from the chip edge. required Fast color printing requires one patent 2,007,162 Good heat sinking via print head per color Xerox heater-in-pit substrate 1990 Hawkins et al Mechanically strong U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 Ease of chip handing Tone-jet Surface Ink flow is along the surface of No bulk silicon etching Maximum ink flow is severely Hewlett-Packard (‘roof the chip, and ink drops are ejected required restricted TIJ 1982 Vaught et shooter’) from the chip surface, normal to Silicon can make an al U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728 the plane of the chip. effective heat sink IJ02, IJ11, IJ12, Mechanical strength IJ20 IJ22 Through Ink flow is through the chip, and High ink flow Requires bulk silicon etching Silverbrook, EP chip, forward ink drops are ejected from the Suitable for pagewidth 0771 658 A2 and (‘up shooter’) front surface of the chip. print related patent High nozzle packing applications density therefore low IJ04, IJ17, IJ18, manufacturing cost IJ24 IJ27-IJ45 Through Ink flow is through the chip, and High ink flow Requires wafer thinning IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, chip, reverse ink drops are ejected from the rear Suitable for pagewidth Requires special handling during IJ06 (‘down surface of the chip. print manufacture IJ07, IJ08, IJ09, shooter’) High nozzle packing IJ10 density therefore low IJ13, IJ14, IJ15, manufacturing cost IJ16 IJ19, IJ21, IJ23, IJ25 IJ26 Through Ink flow is through the actuator, Suitable for piezoelectric Pagewidth print heads require Epson Stylus actuator which is not fabricated as part of print heads several thousand connections to Tektronix hot melt the same substrate as the drive drive circuits piezoelectric ink transistors. Cannot be manufactured in standard jets CMOS fabs Complex assembly required

INK TYPE Ink type Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Aqueous, dye Water based ink which typically Environmentally friendly Slow drying Most existing contains: water, dye, surfactant, No odor Corrosive inkjets humectant, and biocide. Bleeds on paper All IJ series ink jets Modern ink dyes have high water- May strikethrough Silverbrook, EP fastness, light fastness Cockles paper 0771 658 A2 and related patent applications Aqueous, Water based ink which typically Environmentally friendly Slow drying IJ02, IJ04, IJ21, pigment contains: water, pigment, No odor Corrosive IJ26 surfactant, humectant, and Reduced bleed Pigment may clog nozzles IJ27, IJ30 biocide. Reduced wicking Pigment may clog actuator Silverbrook, EP Pigments have an advantage in Reduced strikethrough mechanisms 0771 658 A2 and reduced bleed, wicking and Cockles paper related patent strikethrough. applications Piezoelectric ink- jets Thermal ink jets (with significant restrictions) Methyl Ethyl MEK is a highly volatile solvent Very fast drying Odorous All IJ series ink jets Ketone (MEK) used for industrial printing on Prints on various Flammable difficult surfaces such as substrates such as metals aluminum cans. and plastics Alcohol Alcohol based inks can be used Fast drying Slight odor All IJ series ink jets (ethanol, where the printer must operate at Operates at sub-freezing Flammable 2-butanol, and others) temperatures below the freezing temperatures point of water. An example of this Reduced paper cockle is in-camera consumer Low cost photographic printing. Phase The ink is solid at room No drying time-ink High viscosity Tektronix hot melt change (hot melt) temperature, and is melted in the instantly freezes on the Printed ink typically has a ‘waxy’ piezoelectric ink print head before jetting. Hot melt print medium feel jets inks are usually wax based, with a Almost any print medium Printed pages may ‘block’ 1989 Nowak U.S. Pat. No. melting point around 80° C. After can be used Ink temperature may be above the 4,820,346 jetting the ink freezes almost No paper cockle occurs curie point of permanent magnets All IJ series ink jets instantly upon contacting the print No wicking occurs Ink heaters consume power medium or a transfer roller. No bleed occurs Long warm-up time No strikethrough occurs Oil Oil based inks are extensively High solubility medium High viscosity: this is a significant All IJ series ink jets used in offset printing. They have for some dyes limitation for use in inkjets, which advantages in improved Does not cockle paper usually require a low viscosity. characteristics on paper Does not wick through Some short chain and multi- (especially no wicking or cockle). paper branched oils have a sufficiently Oil soluble dies and pigments are low viscosity. required. Slow drying Microemulsion A microemulsion is a stable, self Stops ink bleed Viscosity higher than water All IJ series ink jets forming emulsion of oil, water, High dye solubility Cost is slightly higher than water and surfactant. The characteristic Water, oil, and based ink drop size is less than 100 nm, and amphiphilic soluble dies High surfactant concentration is determined by the preferred can be used required (around 5%) curvature of the surfactant. Can stabilize pigment suspensions

Ink Jet Printing

A large number of new forms of ink jet printers have been developed to facilitate alternative ink jet technologies for the image processing and data distribution system. Various combinations of ink jet devices can be included in printer devices incorporated as part of the present invention. Australian Provisional Patent Applications relating to these ink jets which are specifically incorporated by cross reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian US Patent/Patent Provisional Filing Application and Number Date Title Filing Date PO8066 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,227,652 Apparatus (IJ01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8072 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,213,588 Apparatus (IJ02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8040 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,213,589 Apparatus (IJ03) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8071 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,231,163 Apparatus (IJ04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8047 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,247,795 Apparatus (IJ05) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8035 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,394,581 Apparatus (IJ06) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8044 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,244,691 Apparatus (IJ07) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8063 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,257,704 Apparatus (IJ08) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8057 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,416,168 Apparatus (IJ09) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8056 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,220,694 Apparatus (IJ10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8069 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,257,705 Apparatus (IJ11) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8049 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,247,794 Apparatus (IJ12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8036 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,234,610 Apparatus (IJ13) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8048 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,247,793 Apparatus (IJ14) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8070 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,264,306 Apparatus (IJ15) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8067 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,241,342 Apparatus (IJ16) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8001 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,247,792 Apparatus (IJ17) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8038 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,264,307 Apparatus (IJ18) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8033 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,254,220 Apparatus (IJ19) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8002 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,234,611 Apparatus (IJ20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8068 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,302,528 Apparatus (IJ21) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8062 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,283,582 Apparatus (IJ22) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8034 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,239,821 Apparatus (IJ23) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8039 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,338,547 Apparatus (IJ24) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8041 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,247,796 Apparatus (IJ25) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8004 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 09/113,122 Apparatus (IJ26) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8037 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,390,603 Apparatus (IJ27) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8043 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,362,843 Apparatus (IJ28) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8042 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,293,653 Apparatus (IJ29) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8064 15-Jul-97 Image Creation Method and 6,312,107 Apparatus (IJ30) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9389 23-Sep-97 Image Creation Method and 6,227,653 Apparatus (IJ31) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9391 23-Sep-97 Image Creation Method and 6,234,609 Apparatus (IJ32) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0888 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and 6,238,040 Apparatus (IJ33) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0891 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and 6,188,415 Apparatus (IJ34) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0890 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and 6,227,654 Apparatus (IJ35) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0873 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and 6,209,989 Apparatus (IJ36) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0993 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and 6,247,791 Apparatus (IJ37) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0890 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method and 6,336,710 Apparatus (IJ38) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP1398 19-Jan-98 An Image Creation Method 6,217,153 and Apparatus (IJ39) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP2592 25-Mar-98 An Image Creation Method 6,416,167 and Apparatus (IJ40) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP2593 25-Mar-98 Image Creation Method and 6,243,113 Apparatus (IJ41) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3991 9-Jun-98 Image Creation Method and 6,283,581 Apparatus (IJ42) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3987 9-Jun-98 Image Creation Method and 6,247,790 Apparatus (IJ43) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3985 9-Jun-98 Image Creation Method and 6,260,953 Apparatus (IJ44) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP3983 9-Jun-98 Image Creation Method and 6,267,469 Apparatus (IJ45) (Jul. 10, 1998)

Ink Jet Manufacturing

Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductor fabrication techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jet printers. Suitable manufacturing techniques are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

US Patent/ Patent Australian Application Provisional Filing and Number Date Title Filing Date PO7935 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,224,780 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM01) PO7936 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,235,212 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM02) PO7937 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,280,643 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM03) PO8061 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,284,147 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM04) PO8054 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,214,244 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM05) PO8065 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,071,750 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM06) PO8055 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,267,905 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM07) PO8053 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,251,298 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM08) PO8078 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,258,285 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM09) PO7933 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,225,138 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM10) PO7950 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,241,904 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM11) PO7949 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,299,786 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM12) PO8060 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 09/113,124 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM13) PO8059 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,231,773 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM14) PO8073 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,190,931 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM15) PO8076 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,248,249 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM16) PO8075 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,290,862 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM17) PO8079 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,241,906 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM18) PO8050 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 09/113,116 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM19) PO8052 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,241,905 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM20) PO7948 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,451,216 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM21) PO7951 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,231,772 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM22) PO8074 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,274,056 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM23) PO7941 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,290,861 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM24) PO8077 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,248,248 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM25) PO8058 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,306,671 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM26) PO8051 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,331,258 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM27) PO8045 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,110,754 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM28) PO7952 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,294,101 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM29) PO8046 15-Jul- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,416,679 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM30) PO8503 11-Aug- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,264,849 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM30a) PO9390 23-Sep- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,254,793 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM31) PO9392 23-Sep- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,235,211 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM32) PP0889 12-Dec- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,235,211 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM35) PP0887 12-Dec- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,264,850 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM36) PP0882 12-Dec- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,258,284 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM37) PP0874 12-Dec- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,258,284 97 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM38) PP1396 19-Jan- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,228,668 98 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM39) PP2591 25-Mar- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,180,427 98 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM41) PP3989 9-Jun- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,171,875 98 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM40) PP3990 9-Jun- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,267,904 98 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM42) PP3986 9-Jun- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,245,247 98 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM43) PP3984 9-Jun- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,245,247 98 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM44) PP3982 9-Jun- A Method of Manufacture of an 6,231,148 98 Image Creation Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IJM45)

Fluid Supply

Further, the present application may utilize an ink delivery system to the ink jet head. Delivery systems relating to the supply of ink to a series of ink jet nozzles are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications, the disclosure of which are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian US Patent/Patent Provisional Filing Application and Number Date Title Filing Date PO8003 15-Jul- Supply Method and 6,350,023 97 Apparatus (F1) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8005 15-Jul- Supply Method and 6,318,849 97 Apparatus (F2) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9404 23-Sep- A Device and Method 09/113,101 97 (F3) (Jul. 10, 1998)

MEMS Technology

Further, the present application may utilize advanced semiconductor microelectromechanical techniques in the construction of large arrays of ink jet printers. Suitable microelectromechanical techniques are described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian US Patent/Patent Provisional Application and Number Filing Date Title Filing Date PO7943 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS01) PO8006 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS02) 6,087,638 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8007 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS03) 09/113,093 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8008 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS04) 6,340,222 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8010 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS05) 6,041,600 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8011 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS06) 6,299,300 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7947 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS07) 6,067,797 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7945 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS08) 09/113,081 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7944 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS09) 6,286,935 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7946 15-Jul-97 A device (MEMS10) 6,044,646 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9393 23-Sep-97 A Device and Method 09/113,065 (MEMS11) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0875 12-Dec-97 A Device (MEMS12) 09/113,078 (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0894 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method 09/113,075 (MEMS13) (Jul. 10, 1998)

IR Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of a disposable camera system such as those described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian US Patent/Patent Provisional Filing Application and Number Date Title Filing Date PP0895 12-Dec-97 An Image Creation Method 6,231,148 and Apparatus (IR01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0870 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method 09/113,106 (IR02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0869 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method 6,293,658 (IR04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0887 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method 09/113,104 and Apparatus (IR05) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0885 12-Dec-97 An Image Production 6,238,033 System (IR06) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0884 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method 6,312,070 and Apparatus (IR10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0886 12-Dec-97 Image Creation Method 6,238,111 and Apparatus (IR12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0871 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method 09/113,086 (IR13) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0876 12-Dec-97 An Image Processing 09/113,094 Method and Apparatus (Jul. 10, 1998) (IR14) PP0877 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method 6,378,970 (IR16) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0878 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method 6,196,739 (IR17) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0879 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method 09/112,774 (IR18) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0883 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method 6,270,182 (IR19) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0880 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method 6,152,619 (IR20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0881 12-Dec-97 A Device and Method 09/113,092 (IR21) (Jul. 10, 1998)

DotCard Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of a data distribution system such as that described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian US Patent/Patent Provisional Filing Application and Number Date Title Filing Date PP2370 16-Mar- Data Processing Method 09/112,781 98 and Apparatus (Dot01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP2371 16-Mar- Data Processing Method 09/113,052 98 and Apparatus (Dot02) (Jul. 10, 1998)

Artcam Technologies

Further, the present application may include the utilization of camera and data processing techniques such as an Artcam type device as described in the following Australian provisional patent specifications incorporated here by cross-reference. The serial numbers of respective corresponding US patent applications are also provided for the sake of convenience.

Australian US Patent/Patent Provisional Filing Application and Number Date Title Filing Date PO7991 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 09/113,060 97 Apparatus (ART01) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7988 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 6,476,863 97 Apparatus (ART02) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7993 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 09/113,073 97 Apparatus (ART03) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9395 23-Sep- Data Processing Method and 6,322,181 97 Apparatus (ART04) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8017 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 09/112,747 97 Apparatus (ART06) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8014 15-Jul- Media Device (ART07) 6,227,648 97 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8025 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 09/112,750 97 Apparatus (ART08) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8032 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 09/112,746 97 Apparatus (ART09) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7999 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 09/112,743 97 Apparatus (ART10) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7998 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 09/112,742 97 Apparatus (ART11) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8031 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 09/112,741 97 Apparatus (ART12) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8030 15-Jul- Media Device (ART13) 6,196,541 97 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7997 15-Jul- Media Device (ART15) 6,195,150 97 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7979 15-Jul- Media Device (ART16) 6,362,868 97 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8015 15-Jul- Media Device (ART17) 09/112,738 97 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7978 15-Jul- Media Device (ART18) 09/113,067 97 (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7982 15-Jul- Data Processing Method and 6,431,669 97 Apparatus (ART19) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7989 15-Jul- Data Processing Method and 6,362,869 97 Apparatus (ART20) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8019 15-Jul- Media Processing Method and 6,472,052 97 Apparatus (ART21) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7980 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 6,356,715 97 Apparatus (ART22) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8018 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 09/112,777 97 Apparatus (ART24) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7938 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 09/113,224 97 Apparatus (ART25) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8016 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 6,366,693 97 Apparatus (ART26) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8024 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 6,329,990 97 Apparatus (ART27) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7940 15-Jul- Data Processing Method and 09/113,072 97 Apparatus (ART28) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7939 15-Jul- Data Processing Method and 09/112,785 97 Apparatus (ART29) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8501 11-Aug- Image Processing Method and 6,137,500 97 Apparatus (ART30) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8500 11-Aug- Image Processing Method and 09/112,796 97 Apparatus (ART31) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7987 15-Jul- Data Processing Method and 09/113,071 97 Apparatus (ART32) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8022 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 6,398,328 97 Apparatus (ART33) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8497 11-Aug- Image Processing Method and 09/113,090 97 Apparatus (ART34) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8020 15-Jul- Data Processing Method and 6,431,704 97 Apparatus (ART38) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8023 15-Jul- Data Processing Method and 09/113,222 97 Apparatus (ART39) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8504 11-Aug- Image Processing Method and 09/112,786 97 Apparatus (ART42) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8000 15-Jul- Data Processing Method and 6,415,054 97 Apparatus (ART43) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7977 15-Jul- Data Processing Method and 09/112,782 97 Apparatus (ART44) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7934 15-Jul- Data Processing Method and 09/113,056 97 Apparatus (ART45) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7990 15-Jul- Data Processing Method and 09/113,059 97 Apparatus (ART46) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8499 11-Aug- Image Processing Method and 6,486,886 97 Apparatus (ART47) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8502 11-Aug- Image Processing Method and 6,381,361 97 Apparatus (ART48) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7981 15-Jul- Data Processing Method and 6,317,192 97 Apparatus (ART50) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7986 15-Jul- Data Processing Method and 09/113,057 97 Apparatus (ART51) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO7983 15-Jul- Data Processing Method and 09/113,054 97 Apparatus (ART52) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8026 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 09/112,752 97 Apparatus (ART53) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8027 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 09/112,759 97 Apparatus (ART54) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO8028 15-Jul- Image Processing Method and 09/112,757 97 Apparatus (ART56) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9394 23-Sep- Image Processing Method and 6,357,135 97 Apparatus (ART57) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9396 23-Sep- Data Processing Method and 09/113,107 97 Apparatus (ART58) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9397 23-Sep- Data Processing Method and 6,271,931 97 Apparatus (ART59) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9398 23-Sep- Data Processing Method and 6,353,772 97 Apparatus (ART60) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9399 23-Sep- Data Processing Method and 6,106,147 97 Apparatus (ART61) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9400 23-Sep- Data Processing Method and 09/112,790 97 Apparatus (ART62) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9401 23-Sep- Data Processing Method and 6,304,291 97 Apparatus (ART63) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9402 23-Sep- Data Processing Method and 09/112,788 97 Apparatus (ART64) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9403 23-Sep- Data Processing Method and 6,305,770 97 Apparatus (ART65) (Jul. 10, 1998) PO9405 23-Sep- Data Processing Method and 6,289,262 97 Apparatus (ART66) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP0959 16-Dec- A Data Processing Method 6,315,200 97 and Apparatus (ART68) (Jul. 10, 1998) PP1397 19-Jan- A Media Device (ART69) 6,217,165 98 (Jul. 10, 1998) 

1. A method of processing a digital image in a digital camera, comprising the steps of: detecting structures within a digital image produced by the digital camera utilising an adjustable focusing technique of the digital camera by processing the digital image with a processor of the digital camera utilising focusing settings of the adjustable focusing technique as an indicator of positions of said structures; and applying image effects to the detected structures with said processor.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising utilising zooming settings a zooming technique of the digital camera in a heuristic manner so as to process portions of said digital image.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said processing comprises utilising auto focus information to assist in the location of objects within the image.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said focusing settings are derived from a CCD captured digital image. 